Do you know what DNS is and what it does? Because I didn’t, so no shame. First, it’s helpful to define terms.
- IP address: the number that identifies a piece of hardware connected to a network. This allows information to reach it directly. There are several types of IP addresses with different purposes, but they all help devices communicate, but public IP addresses are those that connect to the Internet and the world outside an individual’s home.
- Hostname: name assigned to a device to distinguish it from other devices on a network. It is also the name assigned to a website so that users don’t have to remember individual IP addresses, which would be far more difficult to remember than a website name.
- Domain Name System server (DNS server): contains a database of IP addresses and associated hostnames.
- Domain Name System resolver: translates between the IP address and the hostname.
- Domain name: similar to a host name, a DNS name corresponds to an IP address. However, the domain name is broader and can have smaller hostnames that belong to the domain.
So, what’s DNS?
Essentially, just a communication and translation system that helps you find what you want online without having to memorize strings of numbers. Most of the time, it works very well and is an integral part of the Internet. However, every once in a while somebody attacks the system and causes a problem. Micro Visions keeps an eye on this for you if you have managed services with us. For those who do not, this article is a bit dense, but if you’re looking to get some nitty-gritty tips on DNS security, it has them.
